The Clinical Value to Nursing of Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory
Before Florence Nightingale’s time, people viewed medical practice as solely the administration of medicines or procedures for the benefit of the patient. Nightingale, however, believed that patients stood a greater chance of recovering if nurses not only treated the disease, but also cared for the patient through the environment by providing them with adequate nutrition, sanitation practices, and even fresh air. After years of research and data analysis, she proved the validity of the claims made in her environmental theory (Hall, Perry, Potter, & Stockert, (2103). The purpose of this paper is to summarize the life and accomplishments of Florence Nightingale, Explain the components of her descriptive theory, and demonstrate the significance of applying her theory in theory in modern medical practice.
Nursing Theory
An important part in understanding the value of Nightingale’s descriptive theory requires one to understand the definition of a nursing theory. A nursing theory takes a person’s concepts towards a specific practice and applies them in a clinical setting. These theories are used as a guide and explanation of how nurses are expected to care for their patients and why (Nursing Theory …show more content…
To help hospitals attain adequate conditions, she created a list pointing out the many defects of current hospital environments. These defects included: beds being too far away from windows, improper ventilation, defective hospital furniture, low quality kitchens and laundries, improper sewage disposal, the use of absorbent material for wall and ceilings (created bacteria colonies), and improper nursing discipline (Zborowsky, 2014). By correcting these defects, Nightingale revolutionized the hospital system with repercussions effecting hospitals to this
Before Florence Nightingale’s time, people viewed medical practice as solely the administration of medicines or procedures for the benefit of the patient. Nightingale, however, believed that patients stood a greater chance of recovering if nurses not only treated the disease, but also cared for the patient through the environment by providing them with adequate nutrition, sanitation practices, and even fresh air. After years of research and data analysis, she proved the validity of the claims made in her environmental theory (Hall, Perry, Potter, & Stockert, (2103). The purpose of this paper is to summarize the life and accomplishments of Florence Nightingale, Explain the components of her descriptive theory, and demonstrate the significance of applying her theory in theory in modern medical practice.
Nursing Theory
An important part in understanding the value of Nightingale’s descriptive theory requires one to understand the definition of a nursing theory. A nursing theory takes a person’s concepts towards a specific practice and applies them in a clinical setting. These theories are used as a guide and explanation of how nurses are expected to care for their patients and why (Nursing Theory …show more content…
To help hospitals attain adequate conditions, she created a list pointing out the many defects of current hospital environments. These defects included: beds being too far away from windows, improper ventilation, defective hospital furniture, low quality kitchens and laundries, improper sewage disposal, the use of absorbent material for wall and ceilings (created bacteria colonies), and improper nursing discipline (Zborowsky, 2014). By correcting these defects, Nightingale revolutionized the hospital system with repercussions effecting hospitals to this